Back to the Roots - Tunisia
Prepare to be spellbound as the ancient sounds of the qanun are masterfully reimagined, bridging the gap between traditional melodies and contemporary spirit. With the soulful backing of the duduk and cello, this performance offers a deeply moving escape from the ordinary.
Théâtre Mandapa (Paris 13th)
About
A musical journey around the qanun, an emblematic instrument of Mediterranean Arab music, accompanied by the voice of the duduk, cello, and percussion.
Nicknamed the "Princess of the Qanun", Hend Zouari is a Tunisian virtuoso, composer, and ethnomusicologist who has revolutionized the approach to this traditional plucked string instrument. Hend Zouari has established herself on international stages as a major cultural ambassador, transforming her instrument into a vibrant bridge between the Orient and the Occident.
Hend Zouari, born in Sfax (Tunisia), is a talented singer-songwriter and zither player. She is one of the few women in the world today to play the qanun, a traditional instrument of the zither family usually reserved for men. She obtained the first prize from the Higher Institute of Music in Tunisia in 2004. She is nicknamed the Princess of the Qanun and holds a doctorate in musicology from the Sorbonne.
In 2009, her first album, titled "L'Envol", was released. At the same time, she pursued her career as a performing musician: concerts at the Arab World Institute, with the Ensemble des Terres Mêlées, at the Maison des Cultures du Monde with the group Farabi, and at La Cigale (Paris) with the Mille et Une Nuits ensemble.
Hend Zouari has also toured extensively and collaborated on tracks by other artists, such as Souad Massi, Lena Chamayan, or the great Algerian singer Nassima. She also recorded the music for the film "Azur and Asmar" by Michel Ocelot, as well as for the musical "Cleopatra" by Kamel Ouali. In 2018, she released her second album "Bledi" with a new oriental pop-rock repertoire.
In 2022, Hend Zouari participated in the International Culture Festival in Ramallah, Palestine. In 2025, she was invited to England for the "Woman Solo Show" and the Broadstairs Festival. Hend Zouari formed her choir, Astre d'Orient, and gave several concerts at the Institute of Islamic Cultures as part of the "Rhythms and Flavors of the World" festival.
In September 2025, Hend Zouari was the guest of honor at the International Malouf Festival in Constantine. She gave a performance on September 21 in Constantine with her band, filmed by Algerian television and accompanied by the National Malouf Orchestra of Constantine.
